News from Mathnasium of Burlington, NC

Math in the competitive global job market

Dec 27, 2017

Math in the Competitive Global Job Market

By Marketing | Added Dec 18, 2017

Students often wonder when they're going to use their school subjects in real life. Some say they're not going to enter math-related fields and therefore don't need to pay attention to math studies. Others want to learn a specific type of math for their careers and ignore everything else.

Math is a universal tool that is used across all job functions in the global market, from entry-level employees taking inventory to CEOs dealing with billion-dollar budgets. Everyone in today's workforce uses math. Here are just a few reasons why this subject is important no matter your job title.

STEM Jobs Are Some of the Fastest Growing in America

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) are some of the fastest growing jobs in America right now. In fact, 7 out of 10 of this year's top jobs are in STEM fields.

Many STEM jobs are created because of technology. As smartphone and computer usage grows, the need for tools, apps, and digital infrastructure increases. Many of the top 10 STEM jobs of the future didn't even exist a decade ago.

STEM jobs aren't going away. Many experts believe the top jobs of today will continue to grow by 20 percent between 2012 and 2022. Students who are in high school now will enter a more competitive labor pool that will need science and math skills by the time they graduate from college or enter the workforce directly after high school.

Math-Heavy Jobs Create Non-Math Jobs

As the technology workforce grows, so does the need for non-mathematical employees. For example, administrative staff, operations managers, legal experts, and marketing teams work together to sell math and technology-related products. However, even though these job titles aren't directly related to math, they do require employees to have basic math skills. Those who haven't learned these skills as students will struggle in their careers.

Almost All Jobs Use Math in Some Form

Even if your child doesn't enter an accounting or engineering field, he or she is likely to use math in some form. Each department within a company is increasingly required to balance its own budget and determine the best way to spend its funds. For example, a marketing department within a company would determine if it should invest in TV advertising or digital promotions. Not only would the marketing team have to balance a budget, it would also have to calculate profits and overall return.

Even if your child works for him or herself within a company, math will be needed to keep the business going. A baker uses math to determine what ingredients should be bought and at what price each pastry should be sold. That baker must also calculate rent, marketing budget, and other expenses from the profits. Beyond the actual baking (which requires math on its own), the baker uses math in all areas of operations. Almost all entrepreneurs, regardless of their field, need a basic math background.

Furthermore, every student applying for college, whether an English major or a Biology major, will need strong math skills to do well on college entrance exams (SATs and ACTs).

More Companies Are Giving Math Exams

As the global job market becomes increasingly competitive, companies are using tests to weed out underperforming candidates. For example, an employer might give a math and writing test to 100 applicants to make sure their skills meet company expectations. If only 50 applicants pass the tests, then the HR department only has to look at those 50 resumes. Even if a candidate is called in, they may be given additional testing before they are offered the position.

Future workers will need as many skills as possible in their arsenal if they want to succeed in their careers. Having a solid foundation in math, and maintaining their skills over time, will help them continue to advance along any career path they choose.

Math Teaches Skills Such As Problem Solving

Along with the technical proficiencies learned in math class, students learn problem-solving skills and develop critical thinking. It has become common practice for teachers to present open-ended problems to students, and let them decide how to solve them. This might involve determining how much paint is needed to cover a room or deciding which path is best for traveling across the country. This shows that math understanding is less about remembering formulas, and more about solving problems.

More employers than ever want to hire employees who have strong critical thinking skills. When faced with a challenge, workers need to solve problems on their own and come to logical conclusions that are drawn from the information they're given. The more that students can hone these problem-solving skills when they're young, the more likely they are to succeed in the workforce once they become adults.

Students might not be interested in entering a math-related field, but that doesn't mean their careers will be math-free. If they hope to land jobs and advance their careers, they’ll need to use math throughout their lives.

Fun Fact:

National PTA has a new STEM + Families initiative designed to increase access to STEM education and careers by sharing effective ways to engage families in STEM experiences while working with partners to improve access to STEM education. Mathnasium is a founding sponsor of the initiative (as the “M” in STEM) and is currently working with local PTAs and other parent-teacher organizations to bring Math Nights to schools across the country. Ask your local parent-teacher group to work with a Mathnasium Learning Center to bring the event to your school.

Mathnasium is very thorough when evaluating the students knowledge of math. They systematically pinpoint what needs to be worked on an in a logical order.
The staff in Burlington is amazing. My daughter begs to go as much as possible. It had been a very positive experience all around.
Thank you

Mathnasium is very thorough when evaluating the students knowledge of math. They systematically pinpoint what needs to be worked on an in a logical order.
The staff in Burlington is amazing. My daughter begs to go as much as possible. It had been a very positive experience all around.
Thank you

This has been one of the most life changing programs we’ve ever experienced in our homeschooling. Sometimes you feel discouraged because your child’s education rests on your shoulders. Let me say there is light at the end of the tunnel. We love Mathnasium and Matrice, Jennifer and their staff are awesome.

Super experience! The staff was very in touch with our daughter's needs and gaps. They worked with her and established a positive relationship quickly. We would definitely encourage other families to pursue Mathnasium!

Mathnasium was a wonderful experience for our daughter. She was quickly made to feel welcome and a part of the family there. She felt valued in so many ways other than the math curriculum. At the end of the math course, we were so happy with our daughter’s math successes and improved grade, but even more thrilled with her improvement in other areas- confidence, attitude and responsibility. We will always be grateful to the staff and teachers at Mathnasium for this!

My 14 year old twins have been going to Mathnaseum for tutoring for over a year now... they are growing in confidence and mathematical abilities.. they also have a really fun time and have met some great people. Thanks Mathnaseum!!!!

We love you guys!! You're awesome! It's nice to know that not only do you care about my kid's math education, but you care about her as a total person too! She isn't just a "number" there, she matters. 😊

Mathnasium was a God send for my son! With block schedule, if you get behind, you're doomed! But with Mathnasium, he caught up and got a better understanding of what and how to do his math. They were proactive in tackling the problem at hand and going back to pin point the time of derailment. I highly recommend them whatever your math needs. Any age any type of problems. They won't fail you.

Our son truly looks forward to his time at Mathnasium for ACT/SAT Prep tutoring. He feels he is solidifying concepts, as well as learning shortcuts and tips he's not previously learned. We're very happy with our time at Mathnasium!

My son has been struggling with geomerty. Since he's been attending Mathnasium, his test grades have come up and he has a better understanding of what and how to do his math. Its been a Godsend for our family!

My daughter has just recently started attending Mathnasium. She feels that mathnasium is helping her in areas that she struggles with. Her confidence level in math is building and she's hoping to carry that's confidence with her when school starts back up. Although, there is still a ways to go,mathnasium is a big part of her success.
Thanks

It has helped my son quite a bit however it would be great if you could bring them on an hourly basis as opposed to a monthly charge. I hate to pay the monthly rate and something happen and we not be able to get there enough times.

Obvious improvement in my daughter's since starting Mathnasium a few months back. The one on one tutoring with focusing on her specific needs has been helpful. My daughter's grade at school has been improving as well as her love for math.

My son has never liked math...EVER! He actually asks to go to Mathnasium after school now. I have had great customer service experiences, and seen immediate improvement on my son's ability to master concepts. It's early in the experience for us, but to see my child actually enjoy learning, is something invaluable.

Since attending Mathnasium, my son has gained a firmer grasp of math concepts and become more confident in approaching math in general. Attending tutoring sessions with his teachers after school did not help him improve his grades or his confidence. After turning to Mathnasium, the tutors there were able to do what school and extra help after school could not. Homework time stopped being a frustration session ending in tears. The best moment was when we were was able to share with the staff that a failing grade in Algebra was improved to an A!